Price check: Vikings tickets still priced low

If the Vikings follow suit around the league, their ticket prices will increase when a new stadium opens. However, their current ticket price is below the NFL average.

The giddiness of Vikings fans over the approval of a new stadium may be tempered somewhat when the building opens and tickets start being sold.

The last three stadiums to be built in the NFL – Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Cowboys Stadium in Dallas and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey – have all resulted in stiff increases in ticket prices.

The Colts, likely the most comparable market to the Twin Cities, have increased ticket prices by 14 percent since opening. The Giants have raised their ticket prices by an average of 26 percent. The Cowboys have bumped their ticket prices by 31 percent and the Jets top the list, increasing ticket prices by an average of 32 percent.

With the high-nine-figure construction costs associated with building new stadiums and the growing cost of maintaining them, those costs need to be absorbed somehow. But, the Vikings have a long way to go to get into the stratosphere of ticket pricing. As of last year, the Vikings' average ticket price was $75.69, about $2 per ticket under the league average of $77.34.

Who's at the top end? Only 10 teams are currently over the NFL average of $77.34. The Jets top the list at a whopping average of $121 per ticket, following by New England ($118), the Giants ($112), Dallas ($110) and Chicago ($102).

While the Vikings aren't likely to spike up into the $100 average when the new stadium gets built – barring a league-wide increase with inflation – one thing seems certain. If you build it, they will come – at a higher price.

MEMORIAL DAY NOTES

Depending on how quickly the NFL wheels of justice turn, the Detroit Lions might start the season without defensive tackle Nick Fairley and be without him for some time. Fairley, who was arrested last month for marijuana possession, was busted again last week. This time he was arrested after passing a police car doing 100 m.p.h. in his Cadillac Escalade. He led police on a chase before eventually pulling over on his own. He was charged with a laundry list of offenses, including DWI, attempting to elude police, reckless driving, no proof of insurance and having an open alcohol container in the vehicle. Given the two offenses in consecutive months, Fairley could easily be facing a four-game suspension, if not more.

The Vikings didn't believe that Steve Hutchinson had too much left in the tank – at least not at the price he was scheduled to make in 2012. However, the Tennessee Titans are raving about Hutch at their OTA practices. Hutchinson is expected to not only help the passing game, where Jake Locker is waiting in the wings, but, more importantly, to increase the production of running back Chris Johnson. Johnson held out of training camp last year and put together the worst season of his career. If Tennessee is to bounce back, C.J. will have to come up big and Hutchinson is expected to be a big part of that.

All of us at VU would like to extend our thanks this Memorial Day to the men and women who have given their lives in the service of our country and to those who currently serve the U.S. in the military.

\r\n\r\n","mobileBody":" The giddiness of Vikings fans over the approval of a new stadium may be tempered somewhat when the building opens and tickets start being sold. The last three stadiums to be built in the NFL – Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Cowboys Stadium in Dallas and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey – have all resulted in stiff increases in ticket prices. The Colts, likely the most comparable market to the Twin Cities, have increased ticket prices by 14 percent since opening. The Giants have raised their ticket prices by an average of 26 percent. The Cowboys have bumped their ticket prices by 31 percent and the Jets top the list, increasing ticket prices by an average of 32 percent. With the high-nine-figure construction costs associated with building new stadiums and the growing cost of maintaining them, those costs need to be absorbed somehow. But, the Vikings have a long way to go to get into the stratosphere of ticket pricing. As of last year, the Vikings' average ticket price was $75.69, about $2 per ticket under the league average of $77.34. Who's at the top end? Only 10 teams are currently over the NFL average of $77.34. The Jets top the list at a whopping average of $121 per ticket, following by New England ($118), the Giants ($112), Dallas ($110) and Chicago ($102). While the Vikings aren't likely to spike up into the $100 average when the new stadium gets built – barring a league-wide increase with inflation – one thing seems certain. If you build it, they will come – at a higher price.

Depending on how quickly the NFL wheels of justice turn, the Detroit Lions might start the season without defensive tackle Nick Fairley and be without him for some time. Fairley, who was arrested last month for marijuana possession, was busted again last week. This time he was arrested after passing a police car doing 100 m.p.h. in his Cadillac Escalade. He led police on a chase before eventually pulling over on his own. He was charged with a laundry list of offenses, including DWI, attempting to elude police, reckless driving, no proof of insurance and having an open alcohol container in the vehicle. Given the two offenses in consecutive months, Fairley could easily be facing a four-game suspension, if not more.

The Vikings didn't believe that Steve Hutchinson had too much left in the tank – at least not at the price he was scheduled to make in 2012. However, the Tennessee Titans are raving about Hutch at their OTA practices. Hutchinson is expected to not only help the passing game, where Jake Locker is waiting in the wings, but, more importantly, to increase the production of running back Chris Johnson. Johnson held out of training camp last year and put together the worst season of his career. If Tennessee is to bounce back, C.J. will have to come up big and Hutchinson is expected to be a big part of that.

All of us at VU would like to extend our thanks this Memorial Day to the men and women who have given their lives in the service of our country and to those who currently serve the U.S. in the military.